Cable theft continues to affect critical infrastructure across South Africa, including power supply networks, railway systems, and telecommunications networks. Incidents involve the theft of copper cables and related equipment from state-owned entities and municipalities, resulting in direct financial losses, service disruptions, and broader economic effects.
According to data from multiple sectors, cable theft and associated vandalism impose significant costs. Combined direct losses to entities including Telkom, Eskom, PRASA, and Transnet have been estimated at approximately R7 billion annually, with wider economic impacts reaching around R187 billion per year. Independent research commissioned by the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition placed the annual economic damage from copper theft alone at more than R45 billion. More than 20,000 cable theft cases are recorded nationwide each year.
In the power sector, Eskom has reported annual copper theft losses between R5 billion and R7 billion, plus an additional R2 billion for cable replacements. Vandalism and theft of infrastructure cost the utility R221 million in the financial year prior to April 2025. In Gauteng, Eskom recorded close to R7 billion in revenue losses linked to electricity theft and illegal connections. Johannesburg’s City Power utility documented 1,105 incidents of cable theft and vandalism throughout 2025. From July 2025 to January 2026, the utility recorded 652 such incidents, exceeding repair capacity and leaving communities without electricity for extended periods. A further 481 incidents occurred between January and June 2025, with a noted resurgence of 307 incidents between November 2025 and January 2026.
Rail infrastructure operated by Transnet has faced ongoing theft. In the 2023 financial year, 1,121 kilometres of cable were stolen, representing nearly an eight-fold increase over five years. During a single week in April 2022, 123 attacks on rail infrastructure resulted in the theft of 39.4 kilometres of copper cable. For the 2024/25 financial year, Transnet reported 6,345 security incidents overall, a 21% decrease from 8,234 incidents the previous year. These incidents, which prominently include cable theft, resulted in revenue losses of R1.59 billion, also down 21% year-on-year.
The telecommunications sector recorded a sharp rise in equipment theft during 2025. According to the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa’s (ICASA) State of the ICT Sector Report of South Africa 2026, the cost of stolen equipment increased by 189% to R201.5 million in 2025, up from R69.6 million in 2024. Theft and vandalism combined exceeded R340 million (approximately US$20.8 million) for the sector that year, making theft the dominant cost driver. Telkom has incurred tens of millions of rand annually for the replacement of stolen or vandalised cables and batteries from cellphone towers.
Law enforcement and affected entities have reported multiple arrests related to cable theft. In September 2025, Transnet and SAPS operations led to the arrest of 17 suspects in separate incidents nationwide. The Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality confirmed the arrest of two municipal employees in February 2026 in connection with a cable theft incident, with a third employee still at large; more than 20 suspects were arrested in the metro since December 2025 for cable theft and infrastructure vandalism. In Cape Town, a convicted cable thief received a 15-year sentence in 2025 under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act for stealing over 400 kg of copper cables. Gauteng authorities shut down 1,079 scrap yards in February 2025 as part of efforts to address the trade in stolen materials.
Cable theft targets high-value copper from overhead lines, underground cables, signalling systems, and distribution boxes across power grids, railways, and telecom networks. The stolen material enters informal scrap markets, with reports indicating involvement of organised syndicates, scrap dealers, and international buyers. Incidents have led to power outages in residential and business areas, delays and cancellations of passenger and freight rail services, and disruptions to communication networks.
Entities including Transnet, Eskom, and municipalities maintain dedicated security measures, patrols, and partnerships with SAPS. Transnet publishes monthly cable theft statistics, and courts have applied provisions under the Criminal and Related Matters Amendment Act in prosecutions. Despite recorded decreases in some Transnet metrics for 2024/25, cable theft remains one of the most prevalent crimes affecting rail and broader infrastructure operations.
Data from ICASA, Transnet, Eskom, City Power, and law enforcement operations provide the basis for these figures, reflecting conditions up to early 2026.
Five Men in Custody After Armed Jewellery Robbery at Gateway
Police have arrested five armed robbers less than 12 hours after they carried out a jewellery heist at Gateway yesterday.
The incident occurred at approximately 4pm when the armed group targeted the shopping centre. Two security officials were shot and wounded during the robbery.
Almost R2 million worth of stolen goods have since been recovered.
Members of the SAPS Economic Infrastructure Task Team, the Provincial Murder and Robbery Unit and the Provincial Tracing Task Team were involved in the operation that led to the arrests.
Three of the men were found at a hideout in Umlazi. The remaining two suspects were intercepted on the N2.
All five suspects are in their late twenties or early thirties.
The arrests bring the case to a rapid conclusion, with the full amount of recovered property now in police possession. Investigations into the robbery continue.
SAPS Constable Under Investigation for Assault at Volksrust Police Station
An investigation is underway after a video circulating on social media showed a South African Police Service (SAPS) constable assaulting a member of the public.
Watch video here
The incident occurred at Volksrust Police Station in Mpumalanga on 2 April 2026. The video was recorded at the station’s Community Service Centre, where the assault took place inside the public service area.
In response to the footage, SAPS has launched both an internal probe and a criminal investigation. The dual investigations will examine the actions of the constable and determine whether any offences were committed.
The matter has been referred for formal processing under SAPS internal disciplinary procedures as well as under criminal law. No further details about the identity of the constable or the member of the public involved have been released at this stage.
The investigations remain active as authorities gather evidence from the video and any available witness statements from the scene at Volksrust Police Station.
Two Suspects Arrested in Alberton Following Street Robberies in General Alberts Park and Mayberry Park Areas
Alberton, Gauteng – South African Police Service officers from Alberton SAPS arrested two suspects on Saturday, 11 April 2026, in connection with two street robberies that occurred earlier that day in the General Alberts Park and Mayberry Park areas.
Private security teams from CPS Security and React 24 responded to the incidents by tracking the suspect vehicle. They located the two individuals at a premises in the vicinity. During the operation, officers recovered a blank gun and seized narcotics identified as Mandrax.
Alberton SAPS members took both suspects into custody. Stolen items, including cellphones taken during the robberies, were later recovered from a local pawn shop.
One victim has already opened a case at Alberton SAPS. Police are appealing to any other individuals who were robbed in the same areas on Saturday to come forward and report the incidents at the station.
The arrests were announced approximately 20 hours after the robberies took place. No further details on the identities or ages of the suspects have been released at this stage, and investigations remain ongoing.
- Robbery reported at tuckshop in Portlands, Mitchells Plain
- Two suspects arrested in connection with Kliprivier ATM bombing
- One suspect was killed and four others were arrested following a police shooting in Athlone, Cape Town, on Monday.
- Suspected Poachers Confronted by Member of the Public at Schoenmakerskop
- Three Suspects Shot Dead Following Armed Robbery at Jewellery Store in Highveld Mall, eMalahleni
Two Men Killed in Single-Vehicle Crash on Inanda Road Towards Waterfall
A single vehicle lost control and left the roadway before colliding with a wall on Inanda Road towards Waterfall, resulting in the deaths of two males.
The crash occurred just after 6pm on Saturday evening, 11 April 2026.
The victims, believed to be in their twenties and thirties, sustained major injuries. They were found severely entrapped in the wreckage and were declared deceased on the scene.
ALS Paramedics responded to the incident. The Ethekweni Fire Department was dispatched to assist and used the Jaws of Life to cut the men free from the vehicle.
SAPS attended the scene to conduct an investigation.
The events leading up to the crash remain unknown.
